Bob’s still a champion
Former Rugby Football Union President, Bob Rogers, represented Great Britain in triathlon in Vichy recently, becoming the European champion in his age category of 80-84.
A retired solicitor from Worthing, Bob played for Worthing RFC as scrum half between 1961 and 1983, captained the club, and went on to fill pivotal roles, including being their President and President of Sussex RFU.
Having played for Sussex for seven years, he was their representative on the RFU Council, serving on and chairing RFU committees, including chairing Governance and leading the committee defining the RFU’s core rugby values as teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline, and sportsmanship.
After a decade as Chair, Bob is now President of the Sussex Region of the Wooden Spoon charity which raises funds for capital projects for disadvantaged children.
And, having presented a trophy to Sussex to give back to his county, the senior knock-out competition there now sees players compete for the Bob Rogers Cup.
Starting triathlons at 70
Bob and his wife Janet began triathlons as they hit 70, encouraged by their three children, and Janet was in Vichy supporting him, Bob having run five marathons after retiring from rugby.
“For the past five years we’ve done Park Runs on Saturday, cycled on Tuesday and learned to swim properly, going three times a week into the sea or to the local pool,” said Bob.
“The triathlon sprint I was competing in is shorter than the Olympic version, involving a 750m swim, 20K cycle, and 5K run.”
Bob was second out of the water, “with a German competitor ahead of me and then another German overtook, putting me in third place. I thought ‘I wonder if they can run?’ I had a secret weapon in that I don’t cycle in cycling shoes but in running shoes and we started the run with the three of us together.
“After a bit, one dropped back but one was on my shoulder the whole way. Around halfway he overtook me but when I pulled up alongside, he muttered something like good boy! I pulled slightly ahead but he stayed with me on my shoulder as I was listening to his breathing. I wasn’t in any pain and with 150 yards to go I thought, ‘Right I’m off!’ and I just accelerated, beating him by 12 seconds.”
